The tires can be of several types, ie new, second-hand or even rebuilt, or retreaded. Many people buy retreaded tires, believing it to be a cheap but good alternative to new tires. But there are some differences. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. Why are some better than others?
The price, the great advantage of retreaded tires
The only advantage of retreaded tires is that they have a much lower price than new tires. And it's normal, because you'll never find retreaded tires bearing the name of a big manufacturer like Michelin, Pirelli, Continental or Dunlop. But only specialized brands on such a thing, which make the rubber from an old rubber. And since most of the money is invested in developing the main body of the tire, it is clear that the final price will be lower. Because you only invest in the tread and ... that's about it. There are no lengthy tests, engineered tests or marketing campaigns for retreaded tires. But obviously this comes with disadvantages.
Rebuilt tires, better than used ones?
Not realy. If we follow the rules explained in a previous article , we can choose second-hand tires better than the rebuilt ones. And the price is about the same. We must not forget that a retreaded tire is not a new tire. But which has only the surface that comes into contact with the new asphalt. Otherwise, it's an old tire. That is, everything that means the main body, that is, the layers that give strength and rigidity, are from an old tire. On this old body, by hot gluing, a new tread is covered, but also a few thin layers on the outside of the wall, so that the new manufacturer can write the new details of the product. But because we are talking about two different processes, which take place many years apart, a retreaded tire will never have the strength of a new or even used tire.
Lower grip in the case of retreaded tires
Even if when we look at a retreaded tire we see new, deep grooves, we must realize that it is a design made after ... eyes or even stolen. The companies that make retreaded tires make the tread so that it is economical. It does not hire engineers to do tests, to make the angles of the adhesion blocks according to a certain logic, it does not calculate various parameters of rain, temperature, speed, and so on. Because a retreaded tire is a tire that has only a new tread, it is made to do one good thing. If it is winter, it must have the best adhesion on the snow and, in the best cases, on the ice. But, anyway, much weaker than in the case of the new ones.
Differences in time and temperature lead to problems
While the base tire on which the retreaded tire is built is manufactured long before, the tread is made recently. And that leads to some compatibility issues. Even if the tread and the side walls glued later are placed in place with different means designed to last over time, the difference in the moment of manufacture speaks for itself. If for a new tire, everything is made in the same day, from similar materials, the joining process being a well-developed one and thought to last in time, for the retreaded tires things are different. And this, in time, translates into air losses caused by the detachment of the rubber layers, imbalances in time and easy deformations from blows.
Increased weight of retreaded tires
A retreaded tire can be the basis of a used Michelin tire, on top of which the outer part and the tread from a manufacturer have been rebuilt ... no-name. The way these two elements were glued, but also the new tire added, make the new tire much heavier than a similar tire of the same size, but from a large manufacturer of new tires. And if we think that it is a few extra pounds for a set of wheels, this means a slightly higher consumption.
Poor balancing and low strength over time
For the reasons mentioned above, those related to the way the new parts are joined by the old ones, but also because the manufacturing process of the retreaded tires is more difficult and cannot perfectly center the wheel, the retreaded tires are more difficult to balance when vulcanizing. . You shouldn't be surprised if you have to put a maximum of 10 grams of lead on a new tire to balance it, and on a retreaded tire you need 40-60 grams or more so that the tire doesn't vibrate on the go. In addition, because it is not perfectly balanced, retreaded tires tend to wear unevenly over time.
Danger of explosion at high speed, increased
Unlike new and used tires, retreaded tires have the highest risk of explosion on the go. And that's because of the manufacturing process. Because, over time, the retreaded tires may show tread detachment from the main body, the imbalance may increase cracks or fissures, the thermal adhesive may not be the best, and the centering during the manufacturing process may not be the best. So, while a new or used tire, which complies with the rules of wear and tear, is like a whole unit, a retreaded tire can be considered a piece of two elements not very united.
Finally, we advise you to follow some conclusions:
- better with new winter tires than with new summer tires in winter;
- better with retreaded tires than with very used used tires;
- better with second-hand tires that are slightly worn, in good condition, than with new retreaded tires;
- The best option, but the most expensive, is to equip your car only with new tires
The tires can be of several types, ie new, second-hand or even rebuilt, or retreaded. Many people buy retreaded tires, believing it to be a cheap but good alternative to new tires. But there are some differences. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. Why are some better than others?
The price, the great advantage of retreaded tires
The only advantage of retreaded tires is that they have a much lower price than new tires. And it's normal, because you'll never find retreaded tires bearing the name of a big manufacturer like Michelin, Pirelli, Continental or Dunlop. But only specialized brands on such a thing, which make the rubber from an old rubber. And since most of the money is invested in developing the main body of the tire, it is clear that the final price will be lower. Because you only invest in the tread and ... that's about it. There are no lengthy tests, engineered tests or marketing campaigns for retreaded tires. But obviously this comes with disadvantages.
Rebuilt tires, better than used ones?
Not realy. If we follow the rules explained in a previous article , we can choose second-hand tires better than the rebuilt ones. And the price is about the same. We must not forget that a retreaded tire is not a new tire. But which has only the surface that comes into contact with the new asphalt. Otherwise, it's an old tire. That is, everything that means the main body, that is, the layers that give strength and rigidity, are from an old tire. On this old body, by hot gluing, a new tread is covered, but also a few thin layers on the outside of the wall, so that the new manufacturer can write the new details of the product. But because we are talking about two different processes, which take place many years apart, a retreaded tire will never have the strength of a new or even used tire.
Lower grip in the case of retreaded tires
Even if when we look at a retreaded tire we see new, deep grooves, we must realize that it is a design made after ... eyes or even stolen. The companies that make retreaded tires make the tread so that it is economical. It does not hire engineers to do tests, to make the angles of the adhesion blocks according to a certain logic, it does not calculate various parameters of rain, temperature, speed, and so on. Because a retreaded tire is a tire that has only a new tread, it is made to do one good thing. If it is winter, it must have the best adhesion on the snow and, in the best cases, on the ice. But, anyway, much weaker than in the case of the new ones.
Differences in time and temperature lead to problems
While the base tire on which the retreaded tire is built is manufactured long before, the tread is made recently. And that leads to some compatibility issues. Even if the tread and the side walls glued later are placed in place with different means designed to last over time, the difference in the moment of manufacture speaks for itself. If for a new tire, everything is made in the same day, from similar materials, the joining process being a well-developed one and thought to last in time, for the retreaded tires things are different. And this, in time, translates into air losses caused by the detachment of the rubber layers, imbalances in time and easy deformations from blows.
Increased weight of retreaded tires
A retreaded tire can be the basis of a used Michelin tire, on top of which the outer part and the tread from a manufacturer have been rebuilt ... no-name. The way these two elements were glued, but also the new tire added, make the new tire much heavier than a similar tire of the same size, but from a large manufacturer of new tires. And if we think that it is a few extra pounds for a set of wheels, this means a slightly higher consumption.
Poor balancing and low strength over time
For the reasons mentioned above, those related to the way the new parts are joined by the old ones, but also because the manufacturing process of the retreaded tires is more difficult and cannot perfectly center the wheel, the retreaded tires are more difficult to balance when vulcanizing. . You shouldn't be surprised if you have to put a maximum of 10 grams of lead on a new tire to balance it, and on a retreaded tire you need 40-60 grams or more so that the tire doesn't vibrate on the go. In addition, because it is not perfectly balanced, retreaded tires tend to wear unevenly over time.
Danger of explosion at high speed, increased
Unlike new and used tires, retreaded tires have the highest risk of explosion on the go. And that's because of the manufacturing process. Because, over time, the retreaded tires may show tread detachment from the main body, the imbalance may increase cracks or fissures, the thermal adhesive may not be the best, and the centering during the manufacturing process may not be the best. So, while a new or used tire, which complies with the rules of wear and tear, is like a whole unit, a retreaded tire can be considered a piece of two elements not very united.
Finally, we advise you to follow some conclusions:
- better with new winter tires than with new summer tires in winter;
- better with retreaded tires than with very used used tires;
- better with second-hand tires that are slightly worn, in good condition, than with new retreaded tires;
- The best option, but the most expensive, is to equip your car only with new tires
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